My game vs NM occhio-vivo, DHLC Micro Swiss

Here are the notes and annotations of the game. I will add more as time lets me. I have written quite a lot. The annotations are more for the intermediate and the expert level. A big thank you for NM occhio-vivo for the game. The game is only as good as the opposition.

The answer is not so simple because I know the underlying question is really beyond just what you wrote. I will give it a shot -

If I did not do what I did in the past, relevant to chess, I would not be at the level I am today, that includes everything and anything I have done to get better or the mistakes I have done.

What I did helped me produce a result, there's no denying that.

There's something great beyond being ready for a specific opponent. I studied various of his games. I learned from his style; I learned of his aggressive strategic style, I learned a lot more of the averbach system for white vs the King's Indian Defense both from White's perspective and from Black's perspective.

Had I not studied his games, I would have picked the queen's gambit declined as black, which I also play and I know. WHy ? Because it is a lot less strategically complex than the KID is or as it can be. Of course, I would have also limited myself a lot more, since less complexity also means less fighting chances. The more linear or simple the game becomes, the less chances for a win, in my opinion.

But that study and that effort is something you take with you even after this opponent and this game. You can take what you learn from that preparation to many other games or situations.

Another point, technically what got me the win was his oversight in the end game but the game should have ended in a draw as you can see from the annotations, if we went back to the end game.

The game had points where White could have been more ambitious, and I had points where I could have sought for more.

I totally understand the feeling of playing against higher rated player and how it influences our decisions. Here, I was lucky just watching the game and not in the hot seat. I saw some nice ideas during the game ( though I never really calculated lines clearly as I was just enjoying the game). Most of them you played ( I saw your knight manoeuvres in the opening as well as ending as well as the knight trap. But I missed the f3 idea after his Nd5 move)and I thought you played a really good game.

I was thinking of

19...Nc5 and in case of 20.Nxd4 exd4 21. R6xd4 ( I dont think knight going back to b1 can be a good option. Looks too passive for my taste) Bxd4 22. Rxd4 Nd7 followed up with Ne5 and the passed pawn can be easily blockaded. He may have some compensation with bishop pair but I am not sure if its enough to hold the balance.

19...Bf6 is another option i considered. 20. Nxd4 exd4 21. Na4 Be5 22. Rxd4 Bxd4 23. Rxd4 and here I think its possible for black to exchange the remaining white rook along d file which should favor black.

Also instead of 21..Bg4, maybe Ne6 first . I see that you have analysed it already. But in your line, you have looked at 21..Ne6 22. Bb2 and then Nd4+, here maybe you could have looked at 22...g5 and if 23. h3 Nd4+ 24. Nxd4 Be5 looks good for black. even if sac an exchange here you can do f3+ which should ruin his kingside pawnstructure.

I was really being cautious. I talked about this with my wife. She even got on me a bit when I saw Jim's comments, and now, when I see yours, I have to bow down my head and say, "I got no good excuse".

I was playing it very safe, and I immediately saw a direct and simple way to bring the game closer to a very vivid and obvious drawing position. In fact, I should re-write my annotations and include your comments and ideas, and Jim's ideas too.

Would you please write out a bit those ideas with sample lines and ideas so I can include them ?

Sometimes, psychologically, your respect for your opponent kind of blinds you. THis is normal, it is not justified, since it is wrong regardless to lose sight of the objective and play the board, not the person. I really began to lsoe respect for the player and started to play the board and try to go after him with the trap once I saw he was just trying to win in a really dry and clearly drawn end game. At that point my respect when out the window and I was just a bit happy to see him fall in the trap.

Congratulations bladezii..Well played. I had a doubt,Why did you rush with 19...Nxe2? Were you just trying to keep the game in balance? But then I thought, you were already better and may have had good position still with 19...Nc5 or19... Bf6. White can sacrifice an exchange, but I am not sure whether he have enough compensation.

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